Cornell Notes

 

 

Taking Notes

Note Taking Short Cuts Note Taking Guide STAR Strategy

How To Take Cornell Notes

Step One

Divide the paper into two sections.

  • Draw a vertical line from top to bottom that is a few inches from the left margin.
An image of a piece of paper divided into sections
Step Two

Header

  • Write your name, course, and date at the top of each page
  • Write a general title for the lecture

Example

Tina Goodstudent

Math – Period 3

September 23, 2006

Dividing Fractions
An image of a sectioned piece of paper indicating where to place the course, your name, and date.
Write Notes
  • Write all main ideas/concepts on the right side of the page
  • Be sure to skip one line between ideas and several lines between topics
  • Mark ideas that go together with an asterisk *
An image of a page showing the key points and the notes in the middle sections of the page.
Review and clarify
  • Review the notes soon after the lecture
  • Make sure your notes are clear; that the information makes sense
Review and clarify then pull out the main ideas.
Pull out main ideas, topics, terms, places, dates, etc.
  • The main ideas and information from the right column of your notes
  • Write the main ideas in the left column, matching it with the details
Summarize/Reflection
  • Write a summary
  • At the bottom of your page
  • Mention all key points

This section of the notes is used for the student to reflect on the content of class. This is where the student writes two to three sentences summarizing what was learned in class (or in the book, video or presentation) and why the content of class is important.  Studies show that this is the most important part of notes taking because the student makes connection with the learning by stating why it is important.  By writing it down the student is 31% more likely to remember what is learned.
An image indicated where to write the summary on the page
Study
  • Use both columns of your notes to study for tests